Carnforth Motive Power Depot, formerly open to the public as Steamtown Carnforth is a former steam locomotive shed 6 miles north of Lancaster in Carnforth, England.
History:[]
Construction of the present shed started in 1942 and with the construction being mostly from Italian POW's, was completed in 1944 on the site of the former Furness Railway depot, its late construction in the steam locomotive age resulted in its long-term use and conservation by British Railways. Targeted as part of a preservation scheme, when this failed it was developed as major visitor attraction Steamtown Carnforth. Today, closed as a museum, it acts as the major national operational base of West Coast Railways.
Steamtown Carnforth[]
In the 1960's A group of enthusiasts chaired by Dr Peter Beet formed the Lakeside Railway Estates Company, with the idea of preserving both the Lakeside line (later becoming Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway) and Carnforth MPD, to provide a complete steam operating system. Negotiations with BR resulted in an agreement to buy the majority of the Lakeside branch, and at Carnforth rent out: the former wagon works; west side sidings; and 3-roads of the former MPD. Beet formed Steamtown Railway Museum Ltd, and the resultant visitor attraction Steamtown Carnforth became a mecca for steam enthusiasts, then facing a national ban on steam traction on the BR network. With the assistance of the Lancaster Railway Circle, an increasing number of steam engines arrived at Steamtown from 1967 onwards.
Following the need to build a number of motorway bridges and re-route the A590 from Haverthwaite via Greenodd to Plumpton Junction, despite support from the transport minister Barbara Castle the complete vision proved unsuccessful and a split was formed in 1970 with one group taking over the Lakeside Branch while the other would run Steamtown Carnforth.
Steamtown continued under the leadership of Dr Beet, who developed it as a major regional visitor attraction. This included the purchase of both SNCF André Chapelon 4-6-2 No. PLM 231.K.22, Deutsche Bundesbahn oil-fired 012 Pacific No. 012 104-6 (né 01 1104), and the development of an extensive 15 in gauge miniature railway. Sir Bill McAlpine became a shareholder in the company in 1974 allowing 4472 Flying Scotsman to make Carnforth it's home. Over time McAlpine acquired a controlling interest in the company, in order to fund the purchase of the complete site including the track from BR.
Even after the mainline steam ban was removed in 1971, the site remained a hub for both enthusiasts and major servicing point for steam locomotives and associatd rolling stock. The museum's own stock developed with the purchase of some ex-industrial shunters, and three hulks from Woodham Brothers scrapyard at [Barry Island: GWR 6959 Class No.6960 Raveningham Hall, SR Merchant Navy class No.35005 Canadian Pacific and GWR 5600 Class No.5643.
Carnforth became popular with numerous mainline steam locomotives including: 4079 Pendennis Castle, 5407 and 45596 Bahamas plus numerous other steam locomotives.
Operation by West Coast Railways[]
Rolling stock:[]
Carnforth Motive Power Depot as of 2024 is home to a large collection of steam locomotives. As of May 2024, Carnforth has five engines operational: 34067, 35018, 44932, 45699 and 46115. 4920 and 5972 are on static display as part of Warner Bros Studio Tours (4920 in Tokyo, Japan & 5972 in Watford, London). 34016, 44767, 45110, 45593, 45690, 46201 and 48151 are in the process of undergoing overhauls and 34073 is a spares donor for 34067.
Note: Marked names indicate that the loco is not presently wearing them. Loco numbers in bold mean their current number.
| Image | Number (Pre BR) | Number (BR) | Name | Class | Built | Withdrawn | Builder | Chimney | Owner | Livery | Current status | Dual Braked | Mainline Certified | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4920 (5972) | *Dumbleton Hall (Hogwarts Castle) | GWR 4900 "Hall" class 4-6-0 | March 1929 | December 1965 | Swindon Works | Single | David Smith | Hogwarts Railways Lined Crimson | Static Display, Boiler Certificate Expired: N/A. | No | No | On long term loan to Warner Bros Studio Tour in Tokyo, Japan. | |
|
5972 | *Olton Hall (Hogwarts Castle) | GWR 4900 "Hall" class 4-6-0 | April 1937 | December 1963 | Swindon Works | Single | David Smith | Hogwarts Railways Lined Crimson | Stored, Boiler Certificate Expired: 2014. | No | No | On long term loan to Warner Bros Studio Tour in Watford, London. | |
|
21C116 | 34016 | Bodmin | SR Rebuilt "West Country" class 4-6-2 | November 1945 | June 1964 | Brighton Works | Single | John Bunch | BR Lined Green, Late Crest | Stored, Boiler Certificate Expired: N/A | TBC | No (to be certified) | |
|
21C167 | 34067 | Tangmere | SR Unrebuilt "Battle of Britain" class 4-6-2 | September 1947 | November 1963 | Brighton Works | Single | David Smith | BR Lined Green, Late Crest | Operational, Boiler Certificate Expires: 2020. | Yes | Yes (2021-Ongoing) | |
| 34073 | 249 Squadron | SR Unrebuilt "Battle of Britain" class 4-6-2 | May 1948 | June 1964 | Brighton Works | Single | David Smith | Stored, Boiler Certificate Expired: N/A. | No | No | Presently in scrapyard condition.
| |||
|
21C18 | 35018 | British India Line | SR Rebuilt "Merchant Navy" class 4-6-2 | May 1945 | August 1964 | Eastleigh Works | Single | David Smith | BR Lined Green, Late Crest | Operational, Boiler Certificate Expires: 2026/27. | No | Yes (2017-Ongoing) | First member of the class to be rebuilt. |
|
4767 | 44767 | George Stephenson | LMS "Black Five" class 4-6-0 | December 1947 | December 1967 | Crewe Works | Single | David Smith | BR Lined Black, Late Crest (on completion) | Under Overhaul, Boiler Certificate Expired: N/A. | TBC | No (to be certified) | Only member of the class built with Stephenson valve gear. |
|
4932 | 44932 | LMS "Black Five" class 4-6-0 | September 1945 | August 1968 | Horwich Works | Single | David Smith | BR Lined Black, British Railways lettering | Operational, Boiler Certificate Expires: 2032. | No | Yes (2022-Ongoing) | Only surviving member of the class built at Horwich Works. | |
|
5110 | 45110 | LMS "Black Five" class 4-6-0 | June 1935 | August 1968 | Vulcan Foundry, Newton le Willows | Single | David Smith | BR Lined Black, Late Crest | Under Overhaul, Boiler Certificate Expired: 2008. | TBC | No (to be certified) | Hauled "Fifteen Guinea Special" in August 1968 | |
|
5593 | 45593 | *Kolhapur | LMS "Jubilee" class 4-6-0 | December 1934 | October 1967 | North British Locomotive Company, Glasgow | Single | David Smith | LMS Crimson Lake | Under Overhaul, Boiler Certificate Expired: N/A. | No | No (To be certified) | Purchased from Tyseley Locomotive Works by David Smith in May 2024. |
|
5690 | 45690 | Leander | LMS "Jubilee" class 4-6-0 | March 1936 | March 1964 | Crewe Works | Single | Chris Beet | BR Lined Black, Early Emblem | Under Overhaul, Boiler Certificate Expired: May 2024. | No | No (2015-2023) | Black nameplate on fireman's side and red nameplate on driver's side. |
|
5699 | 45699
(45627) |
*Galatea
(Sierra Leone) |
LMS "Jubilee" class 4-6-0 | April 1936 | November 1964 | Crewe Works | Single | David Smith | BR Lined Green, Late Crest | Operational, Boiler Certificate Expires: Jan 2033. | No | Yes (2023-Ongoing) | Presently running as scrapped classmate 45627 Sierra Leone. |
|
6115 | 46115 | Scots Guardsman | LMS "Rebuilt Royal Scot" class 4-6-0 | October 1927 | January 1966 | North British Locomotive Company, Glasgow | Double | David Smith | BR Lined Green, Late Crest | Operational, Boiler Certificate Expires: 2029. | No | Yes (2019-Ongoing) | Rebuilt from Fowler shape to Stanier shape in June 1947.
In June 2012 the engine hauled the Olympic Torch train from York to Thirsk. |
|
6201 | 46201 | Princess Elizabeth | LMS "Princess Royal" class 4-6-2 | November 1933 | October 1962 | Crewe Works | Single | Princess Elizabeth Locomotive Society | LMS Crimson Lake (on completion) | Under Overhaul, Boiler Certificate Expired: 2022. | Yes | No (to be certified) | On 11 July 2012, the engine hauled the royal train for HM Queen Elizabeth II from Newport to Hereford and Worcester to Oxford. |
|
8151 | 48151 | LMS "8F" class 2-8-0 | September 1942 | January 1968 | Crewe Works | Single | David Smith | BR Unlined Black, Late Crest (on completion) | Under Overhaul, Boiler Certificate Expired: 2018. | No | No (to be certified) |